What you want to experience is always the best decision-making factor that will allow you to consider which season you should visit, and what you can do in them. You just have to ask yourself how much budget you have, and what is that one thing you’ve always wanted to do in Guadeloupe.
Does Guadeloupe Have Seasons?
Lying in the tropical region of the Caribbean, you can expect that Guadeloupe’s general climate is warm, sunny, perfect for a holiday getaway all year round. However, the sunniest, warmest of all places even has its diverse weather patterns.
Guadeloupe has two seasons, each spanning 5 months in the year. The hot and humid season runs from June to November with average highs of 32 C or 89.6 F, and average lows of 24 C or 75.2 F, which can be more or less good for a getaway. And, a dry, cooler season from December to May, with average highs of 31 C or 87.8 F, and average lows of 21 C or 69.8 F.
Despite the archipelago’s general sunny climate, rainfall still happens at various times of the year, depending on changing weather systems and wind strength and direction. Guadeloupe has trade winds blowing from the east.
It is important to know the weather conditions on the days you’re planning to visit the archipelago because seasons affect tourism. Tourist crowds tend to be the largest during the dry and cool months because of its holiday-perfect conditions, however, the hot and dry season tends to have lesser people and good prices, you just have to make do with the heat and rain.
What Are the Seasons in Guadeloupe?
Guadeloupe has two seasons, the hot and humid season that spans from June to November, and the dry and cool season from December to May. The hot and humid season of June to November sees the most rain and is also the time where hurricanes can occur as the archipelago straddles along the Hurricane Belt in the Caribbean.
The dry and cool season of December to May sees the most tourists as these months provide the perfect weather for a holiday getaway. Atmospherical temperatures are just enough for a good hike, strolling around the cities, and lounging on the beach.
Is Guadeloupe Tropical?
Due to its geographical location, affected by the ocean and the trade winds, Guadeloupe is a tropical archipelago characterized by warm, sunny weather throughout the year. Most tropical regions have two seasons, hot and humid, and dry, and cool months, such as the case in the Caribbean.
Dry and cooler months tend to have less occurrence of rain, and virtually no hurricanes and tropical storms, the perfect recipe for a tourist high season due to the weather’s holiday-perfect conditions. On the other hand, the less-crowded hot and humid months can still be enjoyable, with fewer people and great prices and deals, however, the possibility of different weather disturbances might spoil a perfectly planned holiday.
How Hot Does Guadeloupe Get?
Guadeloupe can get uncomfortably hot during the hot and humid months of June to November, as temperatures can get to a searing 32 C or 89 F, especially in the months of July to September. To add injury, these months also see more rain than any other time in the year, where the average rainfall quantity can go up to 150 to 220 mm or 5.9 to 8.7 inches, and the average number of rainy days is around 14 to 18 days.
Due to its tropical climate, the archipelago is generally warm and sunny, as you can see the average highs are always in the above 30s C, or 85 Fs, while the average lows all throughout the year are around the 20 to 21 C, or 76 to 77.4 F. However, the perceived heat of the scorching high temperatures of the hottest months tend to be regulated by the consistent northeast trade winds.
Does It Rain A lot in Guadeloupe?
Despite being a generally sunny and warm destination all year round, Guadeloupe still experiences a fair amount of rain in a year. With the greatest number of rainy days and accumulated quantities, August to December sees the most rain.
Irregular and inconsistent, the average accumulated precipitation during these months varies from 200 mm or 7.9 inches to 230 mm or 9.1 inches. Among the rainiest months, October is the rainiest in the year, with an average accumulated precipitation of 230 mm or 9.1 inches and 18 rainy days.
How Often Does It Rain in Guadeloupe?
Rain in Guadeloupe doesn’t dominate the archipelago’s landscape; however, some months tend to see the most out of any other time in the year. August to December experiences the most rain, averaging about 16 to 18 days of rain. July to November rain is more frequent and abundant, while December rain is more frequent and shorter.
Does Guadeloupe Have Snow?
A tropical climate region never experiences any snow, given the atmospheric and climatic conditions of a place. Tropical regions like the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia simply don’t have the necessary ingredients in their atmospheric makeup to produce snow.
Climate change may have greatly affected weather patterns in recent years, but snowing in tropical regions is never reported. What Guadeloupe and its neighboring islands have though, are hurricanes and tropical storms.
Does Guadeloupe Get Hit by Hurricanes?
Straddling along the Caribbean Hurricane belt, Guadeloupe lies along the paths of many hurricanes and tropical storms that come from across the Atlantic. These severe weather systems are born just off the west coast of northern Africa. Thanks to the North Atlantic Ocean’s warmer waters from July to October, it makes the perfect breeding area and pathway for deadly hurricanes to go through.
How Often Do Hurricanes Hit Guadeloupe?
The two recorded hurricanes that struck the archipelago the strongest were Okeechobee in September of 1928, and Hugo in the same month of 1989.
On record, Guadeloupe has had 11 tropical storms, 1 category 2 hurricane, 2 major category 3 hurricanes, and 1 major category 4 hurricane, having Guadeloupe the greatest number of hurricanes. The estimation is that Guadeloupe tends to get hit by hurricanes with one every 2.25 years.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Go to Guadeloupe?
Arguably the best time to visit Guadeloupe is from December to May where temperatures are not searing, just perfect for beach lounging, or a stroll around the city. These months remain warm and dry with temperatures barely going beyond the 30’s C mark or mid-80s F. However, these months are also Guadeloupe’s peak season and tourists come by the thousands, hotel rates and other prices may hike dramatically.
If you don’t mind frequent rain showers, enjoy lesser crowds, June to November might be the second-best time for you to go. While rain showers and the possibility of hurricanes may damper your travel plans, you can always expect to see the sun most of the time, as is the case in the tropics.
